ASTM C996-96

1.1 This specification applies to nuclear grade uranium hexafluoride, (UF6), that has been processed through an enrichment plant to obtain uranium of any 235 U concentration below 5% and that is intended for fuel fabrication. The scope of the standard includes specifications for UF6 enriched from Commercial Natural UF6, and UF6 enriched from Reprocessed UF6. Both Commercial Natural and Reprocessed UF6 are defined in Section 3. The objectives of this specification are two-fold: ( ) To define the impurity and uranium isotope limits for Enriched Commercial Grade UF6 so that with respect to fuel design and manufacture the product is essentially equivalent to enriched product made from natural UF6, and ( ) To define limits for Enriched Reprocessed UF6 to be expected if Reprocessed UF6 is to be enriched without dilution with Commercial Natural UF6. For such UF6, special provisions, not defined herein, may be needed to ensure fuel performance and protect the employees, process equipment, and the environment.

1.2 This specification is intended to provide the nuclear industry with a standard for enriched UF6 which is to be used in the production of sinterable UO2 powder for fuel fabrication. In addition to this specification, parties concerned may agree to other appropriate conditions.

1.3 The scope of this specification does not comprehensively cover all provisions for preventing criticality accidents or requirements for health and safety or for shipping. Observance of this standard does not relieve the user of the obligation to conform to all applicable international, federal, state, and local regulations for processing, shipping, or any other way of using UF6. (See, for example, TID-7016, DP-532 and DOE-5633.3.)

1.4 Cylinders used for transport of Enriched Reprocessed UF6 shall not be used for Enriched Commercial Grade UF6 unless decontaminated internally before filling with Enriched Commercial Grade UF6.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.